I’ve recently been exploring ways to make the most of my solar energy setup, and I thought I’d share my experiences with the community. My goal was to utilize excess solar power to heat my home, and I stumbled upon a fantastic solution using a smart socket and an old convector heater. Here’s how it all came together!
The idea is straightforward: if there’s more solar power being generated than needed, I use it to heat my space. This not only reduces my reliance on the grid but also lowers my carbon footprint. I’ve set up an automation that switches the heater on when there’s around 2500W of excess power. The setup has been running smoothly, and I’ve been impressed by how much it’s contributing to my energy efficiency.
For those interested in implementing something similar, I’ve documented my process in detail on my GitHub repository. The main components include a binary sensor to calculate the on/off state and two simple automations to control the heater. I’ve also been tracking the energy usage with PowerCalc, which integrates seamlessly with the Energy dashboard in Home Assistant.
One thing I’d love to hear more about is how others are optimizing their energy usage. Are there alternative methods or devices that have proven effective? I’m particularly curious about how different heating systems can be integrated into such setups. If anyone has insights or tips, I’d be thrilled to hear them!
This project has been a rewarding way to make the most of renewable energy, and I’m excited to see how others are innovating in this space. Happy heating! 